Otokar submits bid for Altay serial production
Otokar has submitted its proposal for the serial production of the Altay main battle tank (MBT) to the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM), the company announced on 20 November.
The proposal was submitted for Turkey's ‘Modern Tank Production Project by using National Sources’ initiative. The SSM released the call to bid document for Altay's serial production work and integrated logistics support services in July.
Otokar was selected as the prime contractor for the Altay's design, prototyping and qualification phase in 2008. The qualification and acceptance tests of the prototypes produced in the first phase were successfully completed, with prototypes approved in February 2017.
The inspection and approval process of the Technical Data Package by the SSM is ongoing.
The Atlay MBT is designed and developed to meet the requirements of the Turkish land forces against present and future threats. The MBT has delivered strong performance in challenging tests conducted in all climatic and terrain conditions for the last two years. According to the company, Altay has achieved high accuracy in firing tests carried out for diverse scenarios in all kinds of climate conditions and distances.
Otokar has planned production lines to be prepared to launch production as early as possible, and has obtained the necessary manufacturing permit from the Ministry of Defence.
Serdar Görgüç, general manager, Otokar, said: ‘We successfully designed and developed Altay, the national MBT for which we were the main contractor in Phase 1. With the investments we made in this process, the experience we gained, and enhanced R&D capabilities, Otokar captured a strategic momentum in its position in the defence industry.'As Turkey's leading land defence systems company, with all the competencies required for the producing Altay, and strengthening the national defence industry's capabilities, we are up for the task. Our wish is for the MBT Altay to start serving the Turkish armed forces as early as possible.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Elbit Systems looks to enhance automation for Israeli artillery systems
Automation efforts on the Roem and Sigma howitzers will maintain a ‘man in a loop’ configuration as the Israeli company focuses on the export market.
-
How Spain’s acquisition of PAC-3 MSE can boost European air defence
Madrid will increase interoperability with the other seven users of next-gen Patriot in the region.
-
MBDA announces new VSHORAD system at Farnborough International Airshow 2024
The VSHORAD supersonic single-operator interceptor air defence system was unveiled at Farnborough.
-
Raytheon notes CUAS laser success and pushes for faster air defence manufacture
Raytheon’s Patriot air defence system has been in high demand with orders and commitment coming in from Germany, Romania and Spain.
-
BAE Tridon MK2 fitted with Chess Dynamics fire control system
The collaboration between the defence giant and the gunfire control specialist will help deliver a modular anti-drone solution.